SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo’s Mathis Field’s main runway has been undergoing a facelift this month. The runway has been closed for about two weeks while crews are sealcoating runway 18-36. While the project is ongoing, runway 9-27 is closed to allow aircraft faster access to the only open runway, 3-21.
Once the sealcoating is complete, the runway will have a dark blacktop surface. The project costs approximately $670,000 and the FAA provided all the funding through a grant.
Airport Manager Jeremy Valgardson said the initial lay-down of the sealcoat will be completed by the end of the week and the runway will be re-opened, likely by this weekend. Then, the seal coat must dry for 30 days before final painting of the runway markings can be complete.
“We will have non-standard, temporary paint on the runway until the contractor returns in November to paint the final lines,” Valgardson said.
The final paint scheme will incorporate reflective paint with reflective beads. The 30 days is required to test the initial non-reflective paint for bleeding through the pavement.
Looking south on runway 18 at San Angelo's Mathis Field after sealcoating project was nearly completed on Oct. 15, 2020. (Contributed/Jeremy Valgardson)
Runway 18-36 is the longest and primary runway and the path to this runway overflies Lake Nasworthy when winds are out of the south. Runway 9-27 may be pending deactivation. Runway 3-21 is the airport’s instrument runway. An ILS glidslope is installed for runway 3. Runways are named for the direction of landing. For example, pilots fly approximately 180 degrees of heading when landing on runway 18
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: